Meeting the Sky Vulture Emperor

Not long after,

Inside the Nine Nether Palace,

Nine Nether looked at Lin Jing, who was seated before her, her face filled with astonishment as she asked Lu Chen, "You're saying she came from the Martial Realm and is the Martial Ancestor's daughter?"

Lu Chen nodded expressionlessly.

Nine Nether rubbed her temples. As she looked at the delicate girl before her, who resembled a porcelain doll, disbelief still lingered on her face.

What kind of figure was the Martial Ancestor? Not to mention the Da Luo Territory, even their Nine Netherbird Clan was far beneath him.

Having ascended from a lower plane, he had become a towering giant in just a few decades. For the sake of his beloved, he had single-handedly turned the Ice Spirit Clan upside down, forcing the once-renowned Western Heaven War Emperor to flee in panic. From then on, his name had shaken the Great Thousand World.

He was one of the few most famous figures in the Great Thousand World today. Only a handful, such as Emperor Yan of the Endless Fire Territory, the Azure-Clad Sword Saint of the Sword Domain, and the Undying Lord of Northern Wilderness Hill, could be mentioned in the same breath as him.

And now, this brat Lu Chen had gone out once and actually brought back the Martial Ancestor's daughter?

Nine Nether was deeply shocked, but she said solemnly, "Since Miss Lin was brought back by you, Lu Chen, you'll be responsible for her food, clothing, lodging, and travel from now on."

"My Nine Nether Palace may be small, but it has everything it needs. You must not neglect her. If she lacks anything, just tell me. You must satisfy all of Miss Lin's reasonable requests."

"Did you hear that? Lu Chen, even the Nine Nether Palace Master says you have to listen to me, so don't send word back to my family."

"I'll be good and listen to you. I won't cause trouble or bring you any inconvenience."

Upon hearing this, Lin Jing, who had been looking dejected, instantly perked up. She turned toward Lu Chen, clasped her hands together, and put on a pitiful expression as she pleaded.

Lu Chen remained unmoved. He shook his head and looked at Nine Nether. "Sister Nine Nether, this girl ran away from home. If anything happens to her in our Da Luo Territory, we can't bear the Martial Realm's wrath. Even if the Martial Realm doesn't care, their affiliated forces alone would be enough to crush the Da Luo Territory."

"What I mean is, we should still inform the Sky Vulture Emperor. With the Territory Lord in seclusion, the Three Emperors are acting in the Territory Lord's stead. A matter that could affect the future and fate of the Da Luo Territory must be reported to him."

Nine Nether pondered for a moment before nodding instinctively. "You're right. I hadn't thought this through. I should inform Vulture Elder about such an important matter."

Then, Nine Nether looked at Lin Jing with an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry, Miss Lin, but I'm afraid things cannot go as you wish. I'll have to trouble you to come with me to Great Lo Peak and meet Vulture Elder, so we can send word to your family."

"If the Martial Realm has no objections, my Nine Nether Palace will certainly welcome you to stay for a while."

At this, Lin Jing looked utterly despairing. With a mournful face, she said, "Once my father finds out I'm outside, he'll definitely make me go back. It's over! I only just got out! Why do I have to go back to cultivating day and night again?"

Lu Chen and Nine Nether exchanged a glance and smiled. Neither paid any attention to the little girl's grumbling. Rather than curry favor with the Martial Realm for wealth and status, they preferred to manage the Nine Nether Palace well and build a foundation of their own.

This was something they had both silently understood from the day Lu Chen left.

Da Luo Heaven, central region.

At the center of Da Luo Heaven, which resembled a miniature continent, stood a towering and majestic mountain peak. Like a sharp sword, it pierced straight into the clouds, presenting a spectacular sight.

This mountain was called Great Lo Peak, the most important place in all of Da Luo Heaven. Not only did the Three Emperors control the entire Da Luo Territory here, but it was said that the elusive Territory Lord was also cultivating in seclusion within this mountain.

At this moment, inside the palace atop Great Lo Peak.

Tall oval stone platforms stretched along both sides of the main hall, leaving a wide open space in the middle. At the highest point of the platforms stood a lofty throne that overlooked everyone.

That was the seat of the Da Luo Territory's Territory Lord.

Below the throne were three golden lotus platforms. The platforms on the left and right were empty, while an emaciated old man sat upon the central one.

He was the Sky Vulture Emperor, one of the Three Emperors of the Da Luo Territory.

At the lower seats beneath the Sky Vulture Emperor, Lu Chen and the other two sat upon oval stone platforms, all observing this immensely powerful old man.

Lu Chen looked over and saw that the Sky Vulture Emperor appeared to be an ordinary little old man. He wore simple cloth robes, his body was thin and frail, and his face was covered in dry wrinkles. No aura emanated from him at all.

Only his eyes were exceptionally sharp, as though they could see through one's heart, sending chills down one's spine.

After all three had taken their seats, the Sky Vulture Emperor swept his gaze over them. His eyes passed over Lu Chen and Lin Jing, lingering only slightly on Lu Chen.

Then his gaze settled on Nine Nether. A gratified smile appeared on his weathered face as he said, "Ah, little Nine Nether has finally returned. Very good."

"You only came to see me after two years. Have you stabilized your cultivation? If you've encountered any difficulties, you can tell this old man. Don't go running off carelessly again. I promised your father back then that I would take good care of you."

"When you ran away from the Da Luo Territory back then, you nearly worried this old man to death. If your father hadn't sent word that your soul lamp was still burning, I would have left the Da Luo Territory to search for you, you little girl."

A guilty expression appeared on Nine Nether's face. She said gratefully, "Nine Nether was immature back then. I troubled Vulture Elder greatly."

"Hehe, it's nothing. It's enough that you returned safely. Young people should go out and see the world."

"At your age, you've already achieved the Transcending Spirit Transformation, passed the Divine Beast Tribulation, and become a Supreme expert. Your father will surely be very pleased when he learns of it. After all, judging by the lifespan of your Nine Netherbird Clan, you're still underage!"

The Sky Vulture Emperor waved his hand and spoke with a smiling face, his eyes full of satisfaction.

Nine Nether smiled sheepishly, though she was not overly proud. She knew that aside from her own efforts, Lu Chen's help had also been indispensable to her achievements.

Without Lu Chen's Myriad Beast Spirit Flame, she did not know how much longer she would have had to waste before taking that step.

"Vulture Elder, Nine Nether actually came here this time to report something to you. I hope you can offer us some advice."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Nine Nether did not waste any words and went straight to the point, smiling as she explained why she had come.

Half an incense stick later,

After listening to Nine Nether's account, the Sky Vulture Emperor glanced at Lin Jing, who was seated beside Lu Chen, and pondered, "This matter is difficult for me to decide as well. I'm afraid I must seek the Territory Lord's instructions."

"Wait here for a moment. I'll go ask what the Territory Lord has in mind."

"However, barring any unexpected circumstances, Miss Lin will most likely be sent back to the Martial Realm."

"The Territory Lord has always disliked trouble."

Lin Jing pursed her lips, so aggrieved that she was nearly in tears. Yet she forced herself to say, "Then go ask him. At worst, I'll just go home."

"Who wants to stay here with you people anyway!"

Hearing Lin Jing's petulant words, the Sky Vulture Emperor shook his head helplessly. He said nothing more and turned to walk toward the rear of the main hall.